Portable grip cleaner

ABSTRACT

A portable grip cleaner has an upper brush section with a grip receiving opening and a lower reservoir section releasably connected to the upper brush section to form a grip cleaning housing. A lower flange is between the upper brush section and the lower reservoir section. The flange defines an opening sized to receive a grip to be cleaned. Bristles are positioned in the upper brush section that engage the grip to be cleaned.

FIELD

This relates to a portable device for cleaning grips of, for example, golf clubs and other types of sports equipment such as baseball bats, tennis rackets, etc.

BACKGROUND

In the case of golf, clean grips are essential and major factor contributing to the player's enjoyment of, and success, at the game. There are three fundamental “contact points” in the game of golf: the player's feet and the ground, 2) the player's hands and the golf club grip, and 3) the golf club head and the ball. If debris adheres to any of these contact surfaces, a mishit is likely the result, no matter the skill level of the player. For a professional golfer, grimy, oily, perspiration-soaked golf club grips—even new ones—are the quickest way to high scores and missing the “cut.” Soiled grips also force you to grasp your golf club tighter or overcompensate in other parts of your swing, resulting in even more mishits and less confidence in your ability to play the ‘game.’ That is why most professional golf caddies clean their player's grips after every shot. However, most golfers do not have the luxury of a professional caddie.

Many types of golf club grip cleaners are known from disposable wipes with special cleaning solutions such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,534 (Goode et al.) entitled “Golf grip cleaning wipe” to devices with scouring brushes or pads, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,512 (Thomson et al.) entitled “Grip washer”. Brush-type golf club grip cleaners/washers used to remove debris, grime, and other foreign matter from golf club grips generally come in two types: 1) portable, and 2) stationary. Stationary, brush-type golf grip cleaners, such as Thomson et al., are intended to be secured to a fixed location—some even requiring electrical power operation, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,839 (Osborn) entitled “Golf club grip cleaner”, and do not meet the practical requirements of golfers who need to clean their golf club grips (at any time or anywhere) while playing or practicing the game of golf. Stationary golf club grip cleaners are also intended for common or public use, thus potentially contributing to the spread of germs and disease if the water/solution is not replaced after every use. While some stationary golf grip cleaning devices employ multiple circular brushes located at a common distance from a central axis so that brushes' working surfaces do not conform to the configuration of a golf club grip, such as Osborn, most stationary golf grip washers/cleaners have doughnut-shaped brush rings with bristles that radiate inwards from the cylindrical wall of an elongated tubular housing.

One example of a portable, brush-type golf grip cleaner is U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,615 (Lewis Jr.) entitled “Grip cleaning device”, which is hand-held and has an open-ended, single elongated housing. As with most stationary grip golf grip cleaners, the Lewis device uses doughnut-shaped brush rings with bristles that radiate inwards from a cylindrical housing base to form a smaller diameter circular cavity or working surface. Other devices, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,316 (Fattal) entitled “Golf club cleaning device” uses pads. The Fattal device is intended specifically for use on golf club grips, while the Lewis device is intended to clean a variety of sports equipment handles and racket grips. These devices also differ with respect to their working surfaces. Lewis' invention provides a “non-replaceable mat of synthetic filament tufts radiating inward from a thin molded base, trimmed to form a working surface which coincides with the external surface of the object to be cleaned” into which a sports equipment grip is inserted, moved up and down, and cleaned. The Fattal device uses a sponge rubber material having an outer emery cloth layer.

Existing grip cleaners are also challenged by 1) the expedient removal of cylindrical brushes for cleaning or replacement, and 2) the delivery of water or cleaning solutions to the working surfaces of the brushes. In all grip cleaning devices thus far conceived, the cleaning brushes are difficult, time-consuming and cumbersome to remove and/or replace, which limits the usability of the device during the course of play. While the Fattal device did not include a receptacle or reservoir for storing or delivering a solution to the working surface, Lewis' solution was to affix a separate housing to the main brush housing so that “a liquid (or powder) is sprayed onto the grip which helps loosen or dissolve any foreign material lodged in and/or on the grip,” which necessitates the use of both hands in a coordinated manner. The latter device provides for an attachment to a golf bag.

SUMMARY

There is provided a portable device for the expedient removal of dirt, oil, grime, sweat and other foreign matter from the sports equipment grips of individual amateur and professional athletes The proximal end or grip/handle of a player's piece of sports equipment is inserted into the device—the top end of which holds a cylindrical, removable bristle brush, the bottom end being a reservoir for containing a cleaning solution. With insertion of the grip/handle into the device, the liquid is displaced/forced upwards into the brushes. Scouring and cleaning of golf club grips is facilitated by means of a manual longitudinal motion against the cylindrical bristle brush cartridge, allowing debris to be worked loose and dissolve into the solution, which can be replaced when necessary.

According to an aspect, the device provides an efficient, easy to use, portable, brush-type grip cleaner for use by individual players of sports such as golf, tennis, squash, baseball, badminton, etc. In the description below, the grip cleaner is used to clean golf grips, although it will be understood that similar principals may be used for other types of sports equipment grips. The device is comprised of two elongated cylindrical housings and a bristle brush (or brushes).

The device is composed of two adjoining and easily detachable, elongated cylindrical housings or chambers: the lower (wet) chamber, which is sealed at the bottom end and open at the top, being a reservoir that holds a mixture of water and special cleaning solution, such as an antibacterial solution, and the top (dry) chamber that receives a bristle brush cartridge with an interior circular cavity running its length that conforms to the diameter of the distal end of a golf club grip.

The basic premise of the device is that the mixed cleaning solution in the lower chamber and the cylindrical hard bristle scouring brush cartridge that engages the golf club grip in the top chamber are contained in a single, portable and easily usable unit that is easily disassembled when needed. When the device is tightly secured to a golf bag, either by a special attachment/clip or pocket/sleeve on a golf bag, only one hand is needed to clean the golf club grip. When a golf club grip is inserted completely into the adjoined housings, a mixture of water and cleaning solution is displaced or forced upwards into the bristle cartridge, thus lubricating the brushes. No pumping, squirting, spraying or other manipulation is needed to deliver the solution to the working surface. With just a few longitudinal strokes to fully engage and make contact with the bristles, the golf club grip is thoroughly cleaned, resulting in a one-step immediate solution to cleaning one's golf grip while on the golf course or practice range. The idea is that, before every round of golf or practice session, the golfer fills the canister with water to the level indicated on the side of the housing, and then tops it off to the level indicated with a special cleaning solution. With just a couple of shakes of the canister, the water and cleaning solution are mixed, and the device is ready to use.

There is preferably, a flange or lip located around the interior diameter of the adjoined housings that provides a shelf upon which the bottom of the removable/replaceable bristle brush sits/rests. This flange also serves to mark the maximum fill level for the device. An additional embodiment may include a longitudinal clear plastic insert that runs the length of the canister that permits easy visual assessment of solution levels and solution quality. There may be an attachment or slotted bar at the bottom of the reservoir end of the housing for tethering it to a golf bag.

The cleaning surface is preferably a removable/replaceable cylindrical bristle brush, with bristles radiating inward from a molded base. In a preferred embodiment, the cylindrical bristle brush fits snugly against the interior wall of the upper cylinder, and rests securely on the interior flange at the top of the lower chamber (as described above). When the two chambers are locked together, pressure is applied to the bristle brush by this flange and the flange at the top of the upper chamber locking the brush tightly into place and preventing twisting during use. The bristle brush is also easily removed for convenient filling of fluids, and the cleaning and removal of the bristle brush when necessary. The brush can also be replaced if the player wishes to clean a differently-sized golf or other sports equipment grip, or if the brushes' bristles ever become too pliable or too worn to effectively scour/clean golf club grips, The brush is preferably made of many durable bristles secured to a helical or spiral molded base and aligned in a circular arrangement with the working surfaces of the bristles oriented inward or away from the walls of the upper cylinder. The scouring or working ends of the bristles form a circle (when viewed from above) that runs the length of the cartridge and whose diameter corresponds closely with the thickness of the distal end of most golf grips.

In some embodiments, the top end of the upper cylinder may have a removable screw cap that locks the brush bristle cartridge into place against the flange on the lower chamber and permits easy insertion of a golf club handle into the device, while serving other functions. The top flange of the removable/replaceable cylindrical bristle brush is securely locked by the bottom of the screw cap when it is screwed down tightly, preventing twisting of the cartridge during use. The screw cap has a round hole, the diameter of which is slightly larger than the proximal (butt) end or widest portion of a golf club handle. The hole in the cap is preferably covered with a rubber splash guard divided into equal-sized pie-shaped flaps to allow easy insertion of the golf club grip, while preventing leakage or loss of fluid during use and transport.

Alternatively, the top of the cylinder may be integrally formed, and the bristle brush may be easily removed by detaching the upper and lower sections. In this embodiment, the bristle brush is locked into placed between the flange at the top of the lower chamber, and the flange/guide at the top of the upper chamber.

The top of the upper chamber may be covered by a snap lid or a friction fit lid to prevent fluid from exiting the device when being transported or laying on its side. This lid may be tethered to a special attachment or clip which secures the device to a golf bag or players belt when in use.

When the two adjoin chambers are unfastened, the cylindrical bristle brush is easily removed, allowing easy draining of the expended mixed solution and filling of the reservoir with new cleaning solution, easy cleaning of dirty bristles, and easy replacement of the brush should the bristles become worn or the player decides to use a different-sized grip. The improved device generally includes: two easily attached/detached elongated cylindrical housings that combine a wet chamber reservoir for holding a mixture of water/cleaning solution and a dry chamber for a cylindrical hard bristle scouring brush. No means other than the complete insertion of golf club grip is required to deliver the mixed water/cleaning solution to and lubricate the brush bristles, and to begin cleaning the golf club grip.

The device preferably improves on the convenience, usability and playability of portable golf club grip cleaning devices during the playing or practicing of the game of golf. In particular, it may:

-   -   a. provide a portable, convenient, easy to use, durable,         lightweight, golf grip cleaner intended for use by individual         golfers (which discourages the transmission of germs and         contagious diseases) when they are playing or practicing the         game of golf;     -   b. provide for a reservoir for holding/dispensing a mixture of         water and cleaning solution within the same unit (as formed by         the two adjoining housings) as the scouring brushes required to         mechanically remove debris from golf club grips;     -   c. provide for an easy and convenient method of delivering         cleaning solution to, and lubricating, the working surfaces of         the bristles of the cylindrical brush without pumping,         over-spraying, or other additional manipulations;     -   d. provide for the easy insertion of a golf grip into the device         by use of a guide at the top of the upper chamber, which also         serves to center and stabilize the grip when being cleaned.     -   e. provide for the easy removal, cleaning, replacement and/or         interchangeability (when necessary) of a bristle brush required         to mechanically remove debris and other matter from golf club         grips;     -   f. provide for the convenient and easy assessment and         measurement of water and cleaning solution levels needed to         lubricate the brush bristles and clean golf club grips;     -   g. provide for the convenient draining of the device of used         liquids, and subsequent refilling of the device with fresh water         and new cleaning solution when needed;     -   h. provide for a portable golf club grip cleaner that does not         leak or spill when in use or transport;     -   i. provide for a stream-lined, low profile, golf club grip         cleaner that can either a) be tightly secured to a golf bag         without the necessity of the player having to hold or grasp the         golf club grip cleaner, thus freely up one hand, or b) be         loosely tethered to a golf bag for hand-held use with both         hands.

According to another aspect, there is provided a grip cleaner comprising a housing having an upper portion comprising an opening for receiving a grip, a series of bristles defining a grip passageway, a lower portion having an opening in axial alignment with the grip passageway, and an extruding lip separating the upper portion and the lower portion, the extruding lip redirecting displaced fluid flow caused by the insertion of a grip.

According to another aspect, there is provided a portable grip cleaner comprising a housing made up of two sections: an upper brush section and a lower reservoir section with a lip separating the two sections. The sections may be integrally formed, or may be screwed together. The lip may serve various functions. The lip may serve as a lower stop if the bristles are loaded into the upper section on a removable sleeve, with the upper screw lid acting as a stop on the other end. If the upper and lower sections are screwed together, the lip may be carried by the lower section, such that the bristles may be replaced by unscrewing the two sections. The lip may also serve as a guide for the grip as it is moved up and down within the housing. Preferably, the lip will have a rounded edge and will be made of a low friction material to prevent unnecessary damage to the grips. The lip may also serve to redirect fluid that is displaced as the grip is lowered into the lower reservoir section. As the bottom surface is sloped, the velocity of the fluid due to the plunging grip causes it to be redirected upwards toward the ends of the bristles and onto the grips. The lip may also create a restricted flow area, which may result in fluid flowing upward with a higher velocity due to the decreased flow area. There may be a valve, such as a flexible split membrane at the top, which acts as a valve when a grip is not inserted, and acts as a splash guard when a grip is being washed.

According to another aspect, there is provided a portable grip cleaner, comprising an upper brush section having a grip receiving opening and a lower reservoir section releasably connected to the upper brush section to form a grip cleaning housing. There is a lower flange between the upper brush section and the lower reservoir section that defines an opening sized to receive a grip to be cleaned. Bristles are positioned in the upper brush section that engage the grip to be cleaned. The lower flange may comprise a tapered lower surface that directs displaced fluid upwards toward the grip being cleaned. The bristles may be mounted to a removable mounting, and may be mounted on a removable spiral mounting, or mounted on one or more cylindrical mountings. The removable mounting may be secured within the upper brush section between the lower flange and an upper flange that defines the grip receiving opening in the upper brush section. There may be a wiper element at the top of the upper brush section. The upper brush section and the lower reservoir section may be removably connected, and the bristles may be secured between the grip receiving opening in the upper brush section and the lower flange. There may be a clip for connecting to a strap or bag. The housing may be substantially the same length as the grip to be cleaned. The upper brush section may comprise a removable cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be in any way limiting, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a portable golf grip cleaner.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portable golf grip cleaner.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the portable golf grip cleaner.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a golf grip partially inserted into the portable golf grip cleaner.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the golf grip fully inserted into the portable golf grip cleaner.

FIG. 6 a through 6 d are perspective views of different types of brush bristles that may be used.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the golf grip cleaner with an attachment and cap.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the golf grip cleaner with attachment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative golf grip cleaner.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a flange insert.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a further alternative golf grip cleaner.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a further alternative golf grip cleaner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A portable grip cleaner, generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIG. 1 through 12.

Referring to FIG. 3, portable grip cleaner 10 has a housing 12 made up of an upper brush section 14 and a lower reservoir section 16 separated by a flange 18. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, flange 18 defines an opening sized to receive a grip 20 to be cleaned. Lower reservoir section 16 is filled with a cleaning fluid 22. Preferably, lower reservoir section 16 is filled up to flange 18, or nearly so, to increase the flow due to fluid displacement. Cleaning fluid 22 may be any suitable cleaning fluid, for example, it may be water, water with additives, or premixed solutions, recognizing that the fluid will generally be used to remove dirt and oil from the user's hands. The cleaning fluid may also include an antibacterial agent, and should be inert with respect to the type of material the grip is made from. In upper brush section, there are bristles 24 that engage grip 20 to scrub it. FIGS. 1 and 2 show portable grip cleaner 10 in an assembled and unassembled state.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, flange 18 preferably performs multiple functions. It is preferably sized slightly larger than the largest point on grip 20 (such as the top on a golf club grip), such that, as grip 20 is lowered through housing 12, it acts as a guide to keep the grip centered. Flange 18 may be rounded and made from a lower-friction material to prevent unnecessary damage to grip 20. In addition, flange 18 forms a fluid flow restriction between its inner surface and grip 20 as grip 20 is lowered into lower reservoir section 16, such that fluid pressure is applied to fluid displaced upward by grip 20. This encourages the fluid to flow upward closer to the grip 20, and the increase in pressure causes the fluid to flow higher. The displaced fluid helps lubricate and flush bristles 24. To help direct fluid 22, flange 18 has a tapered lower surface 26 that directs displaced fluid toward the grip being cleaned.

Flange 18 may also act as a stop for bristle brush 24 when it is carried by a removable mounting. The bristle brush 24 may be removed by providing a threaded cap 30 as shown in FIG. 11, or by providing a threaded connection 32 just above flange 18 as shown in FIG. 12. This allows access to lower section 16 and bristle brush 24 at the same time. A more preferred design is shown in FIG. 3, where lower section 16 is shorter, such that it is easier to fill lower section 16 in, for example, a sink basin common to most golf course restroom facilities, where the allowed height may be restricted. FIG. 6 a through 6 d depict different bristle mountings that may be provided, and include a spiral mounting 34 shown in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b, a series of short cylindrical mountings 36 separated by spacer elements 37 shown in FIG. 6 c, or a single cylindrical mounting 38 shown in FIG. 6 d that is substantially the same length as upper brush section 14. In the case of the spiral mounting 34, it may be stretched out or compressed as shown in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b to change the effective contact surface of the bristles 24, thus allowing golf grips of a variety of sizes to be easily cleaned in the device. If spiral mounting 34 is extended, it may need to be cut to ensure it is the proper length. In each case, housing 12 may be opened, and bristles 24 removed and replaced to allow them to be maintained. As shown in FIG. 3, bristles 24 on their mounting are held in place between flange 18 and an upper flange 40 at the top of upper brush section 14.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, housing 12 preferably has a removable cap 42 that covers upper brush section 14 when being transported or carried to prevent fluid from splashing out. In addition, upper brush section 14 may also have a flexible membrane 44, such as a split rubber sheet as shown in FIG. 11, that acts as a valve to reduce splashing during use. Alternatively, referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a rubber washer or “o-ring” 50 may be included to act as a squeegee to remove excess fluid from the grip as it is removed. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, to enhance its portability, housing 12 preferably also has an attachment or clip 46 that can be used to attach housing 12 to a golf bag, belt or a part of a golf cart. As shown, cap 42 is connected to attachment 46.

In a preferred embodiment, portable grip cleaner 10 is designed to clean golf club grips. However, it will be understood that it may be modified to clean other types of grips as well, such as tennis rackets, baseball bats, etc. In each situation, it will be necessary to adjust the size and possibly shape of the brush bristles in the case of grips without a circular cross-section.

A preferred embodiment of portable grip cleaner 10 will now be described below.

Referring to FIG. 1, grip cleaner 10 has two interlocking tubular bodies or chambers 14 and 16 that allow for easy cleaning or removal of the cleaning brush 24 from the upper section 14 and convenient refilling of the cleaning solution in lower section 16. Referring to FIG. 3-5, the upper chamber of the grip cleaner has a guide that facilitates insertion, positioning and stabilization of the grip for cleaning, while the lower chamber has a guide that forces cleaning solution upwards into the cleaning brush in the upper chamber. As shown, these guides are upper flange 40 and lower flange 18, which also serve as flanges to tightly secure the cleaning brush 24 into place when the two sections 14 and 16 are fastened together. Referring to FIG. 3, a preferred embodiment of the cleaning brush is a helical mounting 34 with inward facing bristles 24. However, a series of stacked brush discs 36 separated by inserts 37 or a cylindrical brush cartridge 38 can also be used, as shown in FIGS. 6 c and 6 d. Referring again to FIG. 3, bristles 24 are contained in upper section 14, which is an open-ended upper tube or cylinder, while the lower section 16 is open at the upper end and closed at the bottom end and contains the cleaning solution 22. The operator needs only to unfasten the two sections 14 and 16 to extract the brush 24 for cleaning, to fill the lower section 16 with cleaning solution, or to replace or exchange the brush to suit the preferences of the individual user.

Grip cleaner 10 may offer a variety of different-sized, easily interchangeable, inward facing cleaning brushes specific to the sport in question. Multi-purpose grip cleaning devices with cylindrical inward brushes intended for use on a variety of sports equipment grips and handles (e.g., base ball bat handles, badminton grips, tennis rackets handles, golf grips, etc.) are less effective at cleaning smaller diameter grips, especially after regular cleaning of larger diameter grips. In other words, regular cleaning of larger grips/handles will quickly reduce the stiffness or effectiveness of the brush bristles for cleaning smaller diameter grips such as golf club grips. Frequent brush replacement for most grip cleaning devices, either to replace worn out brushes or to switch brushes for different-sized sports grips, can be both cumbersome and time-consuming. The combination of two interlocking tubular bodies and easily interchangeable inward facing cleaning brushes with a variety of diameters overcomes some of the problems associated with the cleaning of different types and sizes of grips.

Because grips within the same sport can vary in shape and diameter according to the preferences of the user, frequent replacement of the cleaning brushes to suit the size specifications of the grip being cleaned is often warranted. The preferred embodiment in this description and in the drawings is relates generally to golf club grips, but could be applied to any sport equipment grip or handle.

Golf grips may vary in diameter according to the size of the user's hand and/or personal preference. For example, while most golf grips are “men's regular”, jumbo and women's sized golf grips are also common. In addition, golf club grips may be “built up” according to personal preference by adding more “wraps” prior to the grip being placed on the golf club shaft. In this regard, a variety of brush sizes and styles may need to be considered to meet the exacting specifications of each user.

The preferred brush style or embodiment is a continuous helical or inward spiral brush 34 as shown in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b, with a uniform interior diameter that extends the length of upper section 14. Referring to FIG. 3, brush 34 is locked into place when lower and upper sections 14 and 16 are fastened together with a twisting motion. The upper portion of brush 34 is compressed against an interior flange 40, which also acts as an insertion guide for the golf club grip, at the top end of upper section 14. At the same time, lower portion 16 of brush 34 is forced against flange 18 on the upper end of lower section 16 when the two chambers are interlocked, thus fixing brush 34 in place.

As shown, flange 18 on lower section 16 starts mid-way on the interior wall and tapers upward to form the flange on which the bottom of cleaning brush 34 is compressed. The tapered portion also directs the cleaning solution upwards into the brushes of the upper cylinder when a golf grip is inserted fully into housing 12. The tapered interior walls of lower section 16 thus facilitate the upward transfer of cleaning solution into the upper cylinder, while reducing the amount of cleaning solution needed to be transported in the device or carried by the user during the course of play. Alternative embodiments for the cleaning brush include a series of stacked brush discs 36 with inserts 37 as shown in FIGS. 6 c and 6 d and a cylindrical brush cartridge 38. A cylindrical brush cartridge 38, and/or a series of three brush rings 36 and two cylindrical spacers 37 could be easily inserted into and removed from the upper section 14 of housing 12 owing to the interlocking feature of upper and lower sections 14 and 16. This makes extraction and replacement relatively easy, especially on the golf course. The overall length and outside diameter of both brush styles would conform exactly to the distance between the flanges at the top end of the upper tube and the flange at the top end of the lower section 16. While spiral brush 34 has some inherent resilience due to its shape that helps secure it in place when installed, cylindrical brushes 36 or 38, or spacing elements 37 may be wholly or partially made from a resilient material that can be compressed to properly secure them in place as well.

Referring to FIGS. 6 a and 6 b, using the helical inward spiral brush 34, grip cleaner 10 is able to accommodate different sizes of golf grips without loss of effectiveness by varying the amount of brush surface in contact with the golf grip. While the inside diameter of inward spiral brush 34 remains the same, the total contact area of bristles 24 may be changed depending on the size of the grip. Reducing the contact area of bristles 24 for larger grips may be accomplished by lengthening the distance between the turns of the brush, and removing the excess. Increasing the contact area may be accomplished by shortening the distance between turns by compressing spiral 34. Thus, by spreading apart or compressing the coils of helical brush 34, the brush bristle contact area can be varied to accommodate different sizes of grips based on the personal preference of the user. For other brush configurations, the interior diameters of cylindrical cartridges and brush rings could be easily changed or varied to suit the needs and grip specifications of each player.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, grip cleaner 10 is intended to be portable and is therefore more conducive to individual use, rather than communal use as with a fixed grip cleaner, which may promote the transmission of germs, contagious diseases and other pathogens. Furthermore, grip cleaner 10 can be carried with the golfer, such that it can be used in cart-restricted areas. Grip cleaner 10 is intended to be made from a light material, such as durable plastic or aluminium, and limited in size to the minimum necessary to clean a grip. Referring to FIG. 3, lower reservoir section 16 preferably has a tapered or bullet-shaped design to reduce the amount of cleaning solution and thus weight of the device when in use. The outer wall may or may not follow the bullet-shaped contours of the inner surface. Grip cleaner 10 is intended to either be hand-held or attached to a person's belt or golf bag by a carrying attachment 46, such as a clip. Grip cleaner 10 is preferably ergonomically designed to fit conveniently and comfortably into the hand during hand-held applications. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, carrying attachment 46 is attached using a ring 48 that is inserted between upper and lower sections 14 and 16, such that it also serves as a washer/spacer between the sections 14 and 16 when they are interlocked, thus assisting in preventing leaking of cleaning solution when being carried or transported by the player. A tethered lid or cap 42 preferably fits over the upper end of housing 12 and is secured to the carrying attachment 46 to prevent spillage of cleaning solution when housing 12 is being transported by a player. Grip cleaner 10 may also be carried by means of either a pocket designed specifically for this purpose by the golf bag manufacturer, or when not being carried on a golf bag, it can fit snugly into the drink holders of most golf carts.

Grip cleaner 10 may also have internal components that help facilitate its use on a golf course. For example, flange 40 on upper section 14 acts as a guide that helps easily direct the golf club grip into housing 14 for convenience and expediency. Flange 18 on lower section 16 helps displace cleaning solution 22 upwards to bristles 24 in upper brush section 14 once grip 20 is inserted into housing 12, which adds to the convenience and saves on the amount of cleaning fluid that needs to be carried in housing 12.

Referring to FIG. 3, grip cleaner 10 preferably has a rubber ring 50 or washer between top flange 40 on upper section 14 and bristles 24 (no matter what brush type or configuration is used) that serves as squeegee to remove excess moisture from grip 20 as it is removed.

Upper and lower flanges 40 and 18 allow bristles 24 to be tightly secured in the upper cylinder to help prevent lateral twisting and axial movement. However, it will be understood that flanges 40 and 18 may be carried by inserts, rather than being integrally formed with housing 12. For example, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, in alternative embodiment, a tapered insert 52 reduces the thickness of the walls of lower section 16, and thus the carrying weight of the device, while serving as flange 18 that secures bristles 24 in place. The insert sits on the top lip of the lower of the tube where it meets the bottom of the upper tube and extends inward and then mid-way down the lower tube where it rests against the interior wall.

In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

The following claims are to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, and what can be obviously substituted. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the described embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope of the claims. The illustrated embodiments have been set forth only as examples and should not be taken as limiting the invention. It is to be understood that, within the scope of the following claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically illustrated and described. 

1. A portable grip cleaner, comprising: an upper brush section having a grip receiving opening; a lower reservoir section releasably connected to the upper brush section to form a grip cleaning housing; a lower flange between the upper brush section and the lower reservoir section that defines an opening sized to receive a grip to be cleaned; and bristles positioned in the upper brush section that engage the grip to be cleaned.
 2. The portable grip cleaner of claim 1, wherein the lower flange comprises a tapered lower surface that extends downward into the lower reservoir section.
 3. The portable grip cleaner of claim 1, wherein the bristles are mounted to a removable mounting.
 4. The portable grip cleaner of claim 3, wherein the bristles are mounted on a removable spiral mounting.
 5. The portable grip cleaner of claim 3, wherein the bristles are mounted on one or more cylindrical mountings.
 6. The portable grip cleaner of claim 3, wherein the removable mounting is secured within the upper brush section between the lower flange and an upper flange that defines the grip receiving opening in the upper brush section.
 7. The portable grip cleaner of claim 1, further comprising a wiper element at the top of the upper brush section.
 8. The portable grip cleaner of claim 1, wherein the bristles are mounted on a removable spiral mounting, and are removable by disconnecting the upper brush section and the lower reservoir section, the bristles being secured between the grip receiving opening in the upper brush section and the lower flange.
 9. The portable grip cleaner of claim 1, comprising a clip for connecting to a strap, belt or golf bag.
 10. The portable grip cleaner of claim 1, wherein the housing is substantially the same length as the grip to be cleaned.
 11. The portable grip cleaner of claim 1, wherein the upper brush section comprises a removable cap.
 12. The portable grip cleaner of claim 1, wherein the grip receiving opening in the upper brush section is defined by an upper flange.
 13. The portable grip cleaner of claim 12, wherein the upper flange and the lower flange are sized to engage the grip to be cleaned and define a stabilizing guide during cleaning.
 14. The portable grip cleaner of claim 1, wherein the flange is carried by the lower reservoir section.
 15. The portable grip cleaner of claim 14, wherein the bristles are mounted on a removable mounting, and the upper section has a bottom access for removing the brushes when the lower reservoir section is not connected.
 16. The portable grip cleaner of claim 1, wherein the lower flange carried by a removable insert in the lower reservoir section. 